Automated contact cleaning system for docking stations

ABSTRACT

A docking station for mobile electronic devices with an automated cleaning feature is provided. The docking station includes a receiver for receiving an electronic device, a base, a piston, a nozzle, and electrical contacts for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The receiver is mounted to the plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle is mounted on the air chamber. Air passes through the nozzle when the air in air chamber is compressed. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver. The nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby air is directed over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to docking stations for mobile electronic devices, and in particular to a system for automatically cleaning the electrical contacts on a docking station.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking docking stations for electronic mobile devices have one or a series of cavities around the docking connections. These cavities allow for dirt, dust, and other contamination to build up. The contamination eventually can cause connector failure and/or degraded performance at the connection. Moisture is undesirable near and around the electrical contacts.

Manual methods of cleaning the electrical contact areas exist. For example, use of “canned-air” or compressed air dusters can be effective in keeping the electrical contact area free of contamination and to remove moisture. However, users of the docking station may often forget to use the compressed air.

Therefore, a need exists for an automated system for cleaning the electrical contact area of docking stations.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces an automated contact cleaning device on a docking station for electronic devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the automated contact cleaning device is comprised of: a receiver for receiving an electronic device; a base; a piston; at least one nozzle; and electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the electronic device. The piston has a plunger and an air chamber. The piston is mounted to the base. The receiver is mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber. The nozzle has a nozzle body and a spray tip. The nozzle is mounted on a bottom portion of the air chamber and extends into the air chamber. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction. The spray tip of the nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts. Therefore the spray tip directs air over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion. The nozzle is positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion. The electrical contacts are located at a lower elevation than the nozzle on the incline portion. Therefore, when air is directed from the nozzle to the electrical contacts and dislodges dirt, dust, and/or moisture, the dirt and dust will also tend to clear with the aid of gravity due to the incline of the base.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the receiver includes an arm portion and a bracket portion. The arm portion is connected to the top portion of the plunger. The bracket portion is sized to receive the electronic device. The bracket portion has top end and a lower end. The arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket. The lower end is provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the electronic device is received in the receiver.

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the nozzle is an air jet nozzle.

In another aspect, the present invention embraces a docking station for mobile electronic devices.

In an exemplary embodiment, the docking station is comprised of: a receiver for receiving a mobile electronic device; a base; a piston; at least one gas jet nozzle; and electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the mobile electronic device. The piston has a plunger and a gas chamber. The piston is mounted to the base. The receiver is mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress gas in the gas chamber. The gas jet nozzle has a nozzle body and a spray tip. The gas jet nozzle is mounted on the air chamber and extends therein. The electrical contacts are positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the mobile electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction. The spray tip of the gas jet nozzle is directed towards the electrical contacts. Therefore, the spray tip directs gas over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.

In another exemplary embodiment of the docking station of the present invention, the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion. The gas jet nozzle is positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion. The electrical contacts are located in proximity to the lower elevation portion of the incline portion.

In another exemplary embodiment of the docking station of the present invention, the receiver includes an arm portion and a bracket portion. The arm portion is connected to the top portion of the plunger. The bracket portion is sized to receive the mobile electronic device. The bracket portion has a top end and a lower end. The arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket. The lower end is provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the mobile electronic device is received in the receiver.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the electrical contacts provide means to charge the electronic device.

In another exemplary embodiment, the docking station provides communicative links to electronic storage, processing, and electronic display to the electronic device received in the docking station via the electrical contacts.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.

In another exemplary embodiment, the docking station of the present invention further includes a frame. The frame has an upper end and a lower end. The lower end of the frame is connected to the base. The upper end of the frame is open for insertion of the electronic device into the receiver. The frame at least partially encloses the docking station. The frame is further provided with a slot parallel to the electrical contacts and at the lower elevation portion of the incline portion of the base. In this way, when gas blows the electrical contacts clean, the contamination has a path to exit the docking station via the parallel slot.

In another exemplary embodiment, the gas is air or nitrogen or another inert gas.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 schematically depicts an automated cleaning system and docking station in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present invention embraces an automated cleaning device on a docking station for electronic devices and such a docking station.

In an exemplary embodiment, schematically depicted in FIG. 1, the docking station (50) is comprised of a receiver (60) for receiving a mobile electronic device (not shown); a base (70); a piston (80); at least one nozzle (90); and electrical contacts (61) on the base (70) for connecting to the mobile electronic device. The piston (80) has a plunger (81) and a gas chamber (82). The piston (80) is mounted to the base (70). The receiver (60) is mounted on an exterior top portion (83) of the piston plunger (81), such that pushing the receiver (60) in a downward direction forces the plunger (80) to compress gas (not shown) in the gas chamber (82). The nozzle (90) has a nozzle body (91) and a spray tip (92). The nozzle (90) is mounted to a bottom portion (84) of the gas chamber (82) and extends therein (not shown). The electrical contacts (61) are positioned directly under the receiver (60), such that a port on the mobile electronic device (not shown) will contact the electrical contacts (61) when the receiver (60) is pushed in the downward direction. The spray tip (92) of the nozzle (90) is directed towards the electrical contacts (61), whereby the spray tip (92) directs gas over the electrical contacts (61) when the receiver (60) is pushed in a downward direction.

In another exemplary embodiment, the base (70) includes a flat portion (71) and an inclined portion (72). The nozzle (90) is positioned over the elevated portion (73) of the incline portion (71). The electrical contacts (61) are located in proximity to the lower elevation portion (74) of the incline portion (71). For example, the electrical contacts (61) can be located at a lower elevation than the nozzle (90) on the incline portion (71). In this way, gravity assists the gas flow in removing contamination from in and around the electrical contacts (61).

In another exemplary embodiment of the docking station (50) the receiver (60) is comprised of an arm portion (62) and a bracket portion (63). The arm portion (62) is connected to the top portion (83) of the plunger (80). The bracket portion (63) is sized to receive the mobile electronic device. The bracket portion (63) has a top end (64) and a lower end (65). The arm portion (62) is located on the top end (64) of the bracket (63). The lower end (65) is provided with an opening (66) directly over the electrical contacts (61), whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening (66) in the lower end (65) of the bracket (63) when the mobile electronic device is received in the receiver (61).

In another exemplary embodiment, the electrical contacts (61) provide means to charge the electronic device.

In yet another exemplary embodiment, the docking station (50) provides communicative links to electronic storage, processing, and electronic display from the electronic device received in the docking station (50) via the electrical contacts (61).

In an exemplary embodiment, the nozzle (90) is comprised of an array of nozzles (not shown). The array of nozzles would be directed at the electrical contacts (61).

In another exemplary embodiment, the nozzle (90) is a gas jet nozzle. The gas may be air, nitrogen, or another inert gas.

In another exemplary embodiment, the docking station (50) further includes a frame (75). The frame (75) has an upper end (76) and a lower end (77). The lower end (77) of the frame (75) is connected to the base (70). The upper end (76) of the frame (75) is open for the insertion of the electronic device into the receiver (60). The frame (75) at least partially encloses the docking station (50). The frame (75) is further provided with a slot (78) parallel to the electrical contacts (61) and positioned at the lower elevation portion (74) of the incline portion (72) of the base (70).

As can be seen, the docking station (50) depicted can be a stand-alone station or be part of an array of stations forming a single larger docking station.

As described and depicted, the electronic device is placed in the receiver (60) of the docking station (50), and the receiver (60) is pushed downward so that the port on the electronic device is contacted with the electrical contacts (61). As the receiver (60) is pushed downward, but before the electronic device contacts the electrical contacts (61), the plunger (81) on the piston (80) is forced downward, compressing the gas in the gas chamber (82). Compressed gas or air is forced through the nozzle (90), spraying the gas over the electrical contacts (61), thereby removing contamination before the electronic device comes in contact with the electrical contacts (61).

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 6,832,725; U.S. Pat. No. 7,128,266; -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,159,783; U.S. Pat. No. 7,413,127; -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,726,575; U.S. Pat. No. 8,294,969; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,317,105; U.S. Pat. No. 8,322,622; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,366,005; U.S. Pat. No. 8,371,507; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,376,233; U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,979; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,390,909; U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,464; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,468; U.S. Pat. No. 8,408,469; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,424,768; U.S. Pat. No. 8,448,863; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,457,013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,459,557; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,469,272; U.S. Pat. No. 8,474,712; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,479,992; U.S. Pat. No. 8,490,877; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,517,271; U.S. Pat. No. 8,523,076; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,528,818; U.S. Pat. No. 8,544,737; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,242; U.S. Pat. No. 8,548,420; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,335; U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,354; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,550,357; U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,174; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,176; U.S. Pat. No. 8,556,177; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,559,767; U.S. Pat. No. 8,599,957; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,895; U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,903; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,561,905; U.S. Pat. No. 8,565,107; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,571,307; U.S. Pat. No. 8,579,200; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,583,924; U.S. Pat. No. 8,584,945; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,587,595; U.S. Pat. No. 8,587,697; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,588,869; U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,789; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,539; U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,542; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,543; U.S. Pat. No. 8,599,271; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,599,957; U.S. Pat. No. 8,600,158; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,600,167; U.S. Pat. No. 8,602,309; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,053; U.S. Pat. No. 8,608,071; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,611,309; U.S. Pat. No. 8,615,487; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,616,454; U.S. Pat. No. 8,621,123; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,622,303; U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,013; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,015; U.S. Pat. No. 8,628,016; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,629,926; U.S. Pat. No. 8,630,491; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,635,309; U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,200; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,212; U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,215; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,636,224; U.S. Pat. No. 8,638,806; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,640,958; U.S. Pat. No. 8,640,960; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,643,717; U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,692; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,646,694; U.S. Pat. No. 8,657,200; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,659,397; U.S. Pat. No. 8,668,149; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,678,285; U.S. Pat. No. 8,678,286; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,682,077; U.S. Pat. No. 8,687,282; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,692,927; U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,880; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,698,949; U.S. Pat. No. 8,717,494; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,717,494; U.S. Pat. No. 8,720,783; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,723,804; U.S. Pat. No. 8,723,904; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,727,223; U.S. Pat. No. D702,237; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,082; U.S. Pat. No. 8,740,085; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,746,563; U.S. Pat. No. 8,750,445; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,752,766; U.S. Pat. No. 8,756,059; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,757,495; U.S. Pat. No. 8,760,563; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,763,909; U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,108; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,777,109; U.S. Pat. No. 8,779,898; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,781,520; U.S. Pat. No. 8,783,573; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,757; U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,758; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,789,759; U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,520; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,522; U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,525; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,794,526; U.S. Pat. No. 8,798,367; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,431; U.S. Pat. No. 8,807,432; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,820,630; U.S. Pat. No. 8,822,848; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,824,692; U.S. Pat. No. 8,824,696; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,842,849; U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,822; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,844,823; U.S. Pat. No. 8,849,019; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,851,383; U.S. Pat. No. 8,854,633; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,866,963; U.S. Pat. No. 8,868,421; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,868,519; U.S. Pat. No. 8,868,802; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,868,803; U.S. Pat. No. 8,870,074; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,879,639; U.S. Pat. No. 8,880,426; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,983; U.S. Pat. No. 8,881,987; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,903,172; U.S. Pat. No. 8,908,995; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,870; U.S. Pat. No. 8,910,875; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,914,290; U.S. Pat. No. 8,914,788; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,439; U.S. Pat. No. 8,915,444; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,916,789; U.S. Pat. No. 8,918,250; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,918,564; U.S. Pat. No. 8,925,818; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,939,374; U.S. Pat. No. 8,942,480; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,313; U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,327; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,944,332; U.S. Pat. No. 8,950,678; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,967,468; U.S. Pat. No. 8,971,346; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,976,030; U.S. Pat. No. 8,976,368; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,981; U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,983; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,984; U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,456; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,457; U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,459; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,985,461; U.S. Pat. No. 8,988,578; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,988,590; U.S. Pat. No. 8,991,704; -   U.S. Pat. No. 8,996,194; U.S. Pat. No. 8,996,384; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,002,641; U.S. Pat. No. 9,007,368; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,010,641; U.S. Pat. No. 9,015,513; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,016,576; U.S. Pat. No. 9,022,288; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,030,964; U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,240; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,033,242; U.S. Pat. No. 9,036,054; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,037,344; U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,911; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,038,915; U.S. Pat. No. 9,047,098; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,047,359; U.S. Pat. No. 9,047,420; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,047,525; U.S. Pat. No. 9,047,531; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,053,055; U.S. Pat. No. 9,053,378; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,053,380; U.S. Pat. No. 9,058,526; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,064,165; U.S. Pat. No. 9,064,167; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,064,168; U.S. Pat. No. 9,064,254; -   U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,032; U.S. Pat. No. 9,070,032; -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D716,285; -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D723,560; -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D730,357; -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D730,901; -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D730,902 -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D733,112; -   U.S. Design Pat. No. D734,339; -   International Publication No. 2013/163789; -   International Publication No. 2013/173985; -   International Publication No. 2014/019130; -   International Publication No. 2014/110495; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2008/0185432; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0134221; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0177080; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0177076; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0177707; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0177749; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0265880; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0202554; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0111946; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0168511; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0168512; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0193423; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0203647; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0223141; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0228382; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2012/0248188; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0043312; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0082104; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0175341; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0175343; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0257744; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0257759; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0270346; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0287258; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0292475; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0292477; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0293539; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0293540; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0306728; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0306731; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0307964; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0308625; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0313324; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0313325; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2013/0342717; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0001267; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0008439; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0025584; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0034734; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0036848; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0039693; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0042814; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0049120; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0049635; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0061306; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0063289; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0066136; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0067692; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0070005; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0071840; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0074746; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0076974; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0078341; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0078345; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0097249; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0098792; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0100813; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0103115; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0104413; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0104414; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0104416; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0104451; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0106594; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0106725; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0108010; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0108402; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0110485; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0114530; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0124577; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0124579; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0125842; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0125853; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0125999; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0129378; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131438; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131441; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131443; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131444; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131445; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0131448; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0133379; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0136208; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0140585; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0151453; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0152882; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0158770; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0159869; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0166755; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0166759; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0168787; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0175165; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0175172; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0191644; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0191913; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0197238; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0197239; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0197304; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0214631; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0217166; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0217180; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0231500; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0232930; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0247315; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263493; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0263645; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0267609; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0270196; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0270229; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0278387; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0278391; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0282210; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0284384; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0288933; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0297058; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0299665; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0312121; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0319220; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0319221; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0326787; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0332590; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0344943; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0346233; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0351317; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0353373; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0361073; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0361082; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0362184; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0363015; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0369511; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0374483; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2014/0374485; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0001301; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0001304; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0003673; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0009338; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0009610; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0014416; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0021397; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0028102; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0028103; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0028104; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0029002; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0032709; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0039309; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0039878; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0040378; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0048168; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0049347; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0051992; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0053766; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0053768; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0053769; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0060544; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0062366; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0063215; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0063676; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0069130; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0071819; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0083800; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0086114; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0088522; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0096872; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0099557; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0100196; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0102109; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0115035; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0127791; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0128116; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0129659; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0133047; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0134470; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0136851; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0136854; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0142492; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0144692; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0144698; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0144701; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0149946; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0161429; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0169925; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0169929; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0178523; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0178534; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0178535; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0178536; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0178537; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0181093; -   U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2015/0181109; -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/367,978 for a Laser Scanning     Module Employing an Elastomeric U-Hinge Based Laser Scanning     Assembly, filed Feb. 7, 2012 (Feng et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/458,405 for an Electronic     Device, filed Jun. 19, 2013 (Fitch et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/459,620 for an Electronic Device     Enclosure, filed Jul. 2, 2013 (London et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/468,118 for an Electronic Device     Case, filed Sep. 26, 2013 (Oberpriller et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/150,393 for Indicia-reader     Having Unitary Construction Scanner, filed Jan. 8, 2014 (Colavito et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/200,405 for Indicia Reader for     Size-Limited Applications filed Mar. 7, 2014 (Feng et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/231,898 for Hand-Mounted     Indicia-Reading Device with Finger Motion Triggering filed Apr. 1,     2014 (Van Horn et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/486,759 for an Imaging Terminal,     filed Apr. 2, 2014 (Oberpriller et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/257,364 for Docking System and     Method Using Near Field Communication filed Apr. 21, 2014     (Showering); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/264,173 for Autofocus Lens     System for Indicia Readers filed Apr. 29, 2014 (Ackley et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/277,337 for MULTIPURPOSE OPTICAL     READER, filed May 14, 2014 (Jovanovski et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/283,282 for TERMINAL HAVING     ILLUMINATION AND FOCUS CONTROL filed May 21, 2014 (Liu et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/327,827 for a MOBILE-PHONE     ADAPTER FOR ELECTRONIC TRANSACTIONS, filed Jul. 10, 2014 (Hejl); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/334,934 for a SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR INDICIA VERIFICATION, filed Jul. 18, 2014 (Hejl); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/339,708 for LASER SCANNING CODE     SYMBOL READING SYSTEM, filed Jul. 24, 2014 (Xian et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/340,627 for an AXIALLY     REINFORCED FLEXIBLE SCAN ELEMENT, filed Jul. 25, 2014 (Rueblinger et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/446,391 for MULTIFUNCTION POINT     OF SALE APPARATUS WITH OPTICAL SIGNATURE CAPTURE filed Jul. 30, 2014     (Good et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/452,697 for INTERACTIVE INDICIA     READER, filed Aug. 6, 2014 (Todeschini); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/453,019 for DIMENSIONING SYSTEM     WITH GUIDED ALIGNMENT, filed Aug. 6, 2014 (Li et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/462,801 for MOBILE COMPUTING     DEVICE WITH DATA COGNITION SOFTWARE, filed on Aug. 19, 2014     (Todeschini et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/483,056 for VARIABLE DEPTH OF     FIELD BARCODE SCANNER filed Sep. 10, 2014 (McCloskey et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/513,808 for IDENTIFYING     INVENTORY ITEMS IN A STORAGE FACILITY filed Oct. 14, 2014 (Singel et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/519,195 for HANDHELD     DIMENSIONING SYSTEM WITH FEEDBACK filed Oct. 21, 2014 (Laffargue et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/519,179 for DIMENSIONING SYSTEM     WITH MULTIPATH INTERFERENCE MITIGATION filed Oct. 21, 2014 (Thuries     et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/519,211 for SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR DIMENSIONING filed Oct. 21, 2014 (Ackley et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/519,233 for HANDHELD DIMENSIONER     WITH DATA-QUALITY INDICATION filed Oct. 21, 2014 (Laffargue et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/519,249 for HANDHELD     DIMENSIONING SYSTEM WITH MEASUREMENT-CONFORMANCE FEEDBACK filed Oct.     21, 2014 (Ackley et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/527,191 for METHOD AND SYSTEM     FOR RECOGNIZING SPEECH USING WILDCARDS IN AN EXPECTED RESPONSE filed     Oct. 29, 2014 (Braho et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/529,563 for ADAPTABLE INTERFACE     FOR A MOBILE COMPUTING DEVICE filed Oct. 31, 2014 (Schoon et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/529,857 for BARCODE READER WITH     SECURITY FEATURES filed Oct. 31, 2014 (Todeschini et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/398,542 for PORTABLE ELECTRONIC     DEVICES HAVING A SEPARATE LOCATION TRIGGER UNIT FOR USE IN     CONTROLLING AN APPLICATION UNIT filed Nov. 3, 2014 (Bian et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/531,154 for DIRECTING AN     INSPECTOR THROUGH AN INSPECTION filed Nov. 3, 2014 (Miller et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/533,319 for BARCODE SCANNING     SYSTEM USING WEARABLE DEVICE WITH EMBEDDED CAMERA filed Nov. 5, 2014     (Todeschini); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/535,764 for CONCATENATED     EXPECTED RESPONSES FOR SPEECH RECOGNITION filed Nov. 7, 2014 (Braho     et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/568,305 for AUTO-CONTRAST     VIEWFINDER FOR AN INDICIA READER filed Dec. 12, 2014 (Todeschini); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/573,022 for DYNAMIC DIAGNOSTIC     INDICATOR GENERATION filed Dec. 17, 2014 (Goldsmith); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/578,627 for SAFETY SYSTEM AND     METHOD filed Dec. 22, 2014 (Ackley et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/580,262 for MEDIA GATE FOR     THERMAL TRANSFER PRINTERS filed Dec. 23, 2014 (Bowles); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/590,024 for SHELVING AND PACKAGE     LOCATING SYSTEMS FOR DELIVERY VEHICLES filed Jan. 6, 2015 (Payne); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/596,757 for SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR DETECTING BARCODE PRINTING ERRORS filed Jan. 14, 2015 (Ackley); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/416,147 for OPTICAL READING     APPARATUS HAVING VARIABLE SETTINGS filed Jan. 21, 2015 (Chen et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/614,706 for DEVICE FOR     SUPPORTING AN ELECTRONIC TOOL ON A USER'S HAND filed Feb. 5, 2015     (Oberpriller et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/614,796 for CARGO APPORTIONMENT     TECHNIQUES filed Feb. 5, 2015 (Morton et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/516,892 for TABLE COMPUTER filed     Feb. 6, 2015 (Bidwell et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/619,093 for METHODS FOR TRAINING     A SPEECH RECOGNITION SYSTEM filed Feb. 11, 2015 (Pecorari); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/628,708 for DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND     METHOD FOR DETERMINING THE STATUS OF CHECKOUT LANES filed Feb. 23,     2015 (Todeschini); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/630,841 for TERMINAL INCLUDING     IMAGING ASSEMBLY filed Feb. 25, 2015 (Gomez et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/635,346 for SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR RELIABLE STORE-AND-FORWARD DATA HANDLING BY ENCODED INFORMATION     READING TERMINALS filed Mar. 2, 2015 (Sevier); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/519,017 for SCANNER filed Mar.     2, 2015 (Zhou et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/405,278 for DESIGN PATTERN FOR     SECURE STORE filed Mar. 9, 2015 (Zhu et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/660,970 for DECODABLE INDICIA     READING TERMINAL WITH COMBINED ILLUMINATION filed Mar. 18, 2015     (Kearney et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/661,013 for REPROGRAMMING SYSTEM     AND METHOD FOR DEVICES INCLUDING PROGRAMMING SYMBOL filed Mar. 18,     2015 (Soule et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/662,922 for MULTIFUNCTION POINT     OF SALE SYSTEM filed Mar. 19, 2015 (Van Horn et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/663,638 for VEHICLE MOUNT     COMPUTER WITH CONFIGURABLE IGNITION SWITCH BEHAVIOR filed Mar. 20,     2015 (Davis et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/664,063 for METHOD AND     APPLICATION FOR SCANNING A BARCODE WITH A SMART DEVICE WHILE     CONTINUOUSLY RUNNING AND DISPLAYING AN APPLICATION ON THE SMART     DEVICE DISPLAY filed Mar. 20, 2015 (Todeschini); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/669,280 for TRANSFORMING     COMPONENTS OF A WEB PAGE TO VOICE PROMPTS filed Mar. 26, 2015     (Funyak et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/674,329 for AIMER FOR BARCODE     SCANNING filed Mar. 31, 2015 (Bidwell); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/676,109 for INDICIA READER filed     Apr. 1, 2015 (Huck); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/676,327 for DEVICE MANAGEMENT     PROXY FOR SECURE DEVICES filed Apr. 1, 2015 (Yeakley et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/676,898 for NAVIGATION SYSTEM     CONFIGURED TO INTEGRATE MOTION SENSING DEVICE INPUTS filed Apr. 2,     2015 (Showering); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/679,275 for DIMENSIONING SYSTEM     CALIBRATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS filed Apr. 6, 2015 (Laffargue et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/523,098 for HANDLE FOR A TABLET     COMPUTER filed Apr. 7, 2015 (Bidwell et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/682,615 for SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR POWER MANAGEMENT OF MOBILE DEVICES filed Apr. 9, 2015 (Murawski     et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/686,822 for MULTIPLE PLATFORM     SUPPORT SYSTEM AND METHOD filed Apr. 15, 2015 (Qu et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/687,289 for SYSTEM FOR     COMMUNICATION VIA A PERIPHERAL HUB filed Apr. 15, 2015 (Kohtz et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/524,186 for SCANNER filed Apr.     17, 2015 (Zhou et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/695,364 for MEDICATION     MANAGEMENT SYSTEM filed Apr. 24, 2015 (Sewell et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/695,923 for SECURE UNATTENDED     NETWORK AUTHENTICATION filed Apr. 24, 2015 (Kubler et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/525,068 for TABLET COMPUTER WITH     REMOVABLE SCANNING DEVICE filed Apr. 27, 2015 (Schulte et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/699,436 for SYMBOL READING     SYSTEM HAVING PREDICTIVE DIAGNOSTICS filed Apr. 29, 2015 (Nahill et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/702,110 for SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR REGULATING BARCODE DATA INJECTION INTO A RUNNING APPLICATION ON     A SMART DEVICE filed May 1, 2015 (Todeschini et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/702,979 for TRACKING BATTERY     CONDITIONS filed May 4, 2015 (Young et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/704,050 for INTERMEDIATE LINEAR     POSITIONING filed May 5, 2015 (Charpentier et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/705,012 for HANDS-FREE HUMAN     MACHINE INTERFACE RESPONSIVE TO A DRIVER OF A VEHICLE filed May 6,     2015 (Fitch et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/705,407 for METHOD AND SYSTEM TO     PROTECT SOFTWARE-BASED NETWORK-CONNECTED DEVICES FROM ADVANCED     PERSISTENT THREAT filed May 6, 2015 (Hussey et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/707,037 for SYSTEM AND METHOD     FOR DISPLAY OF INFORMATION USING A VEHICLE-MOUNT COMPUTER filed May     8, 2015 (Chamberlin); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/707,123 for APPLICATION     INDEPENDENT DEX/UCS INTERFACE filed May 8, 2015 (Pape); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/707,492 for METHOD AND APPARATUS     FOR READING OPTICAL INDICIA USING A PLURALITY OF DATA SOURCES filed     May 8, 2015 (Smith et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/710,666 for PRE-PAID USAGE     SYSTEM FOR ENCODED INFORMATION READING TERMINALS filed May 13, 2015     (Smith); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/526,918 for CHARGING BASE filed     May 14, 2015 (Fitch et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/715,672 for AUGUMENTED REALITY     ENABLED HAZARD DISPLAY filed May 19, 2015 (Venkatesha et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/715,916 for EVALUATING IMAGE     VALUES filed May 19, 2015 (Ackley); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/722,608 for INTERACTIVE USER     INTERFACE FOR CAPTURING A DOCUMENT IN AN IMAGE SIGNAL filed May 27,     2015 (Showering et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/528,165 for IN-COUNTER BARCODE     SCANNER filed May 27, 2015 (Oberpriller et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/724,134 for ELECTRONIC DEVICE     WITH WIRELESS PATH SELECTION CAPABILITY filed May 28, 2015 (Wang et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/724,849 for METHOD OF     PROGRAMMING THE DEFAULT CABLE INTERFACE SOFTWARE IN AN INDICIA     READING DEVICE filed May 29, 2015 (Barten); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/724,908 for IMAGING APPARATUS     HAVING IMAGING ASSEMBLY filed May 29, 2015 (Barber et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/725,352 for APPARATUS AND     METHODS FOR MONITORING ONE OR MORE PORTABLE DATA TERMINALS     (Caballero et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/528,590 for ELECTRONIC DEVICE     filed May 29, 2015 (Fitch et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/528,890 for MOBILE COMPUTER     HOUSING filed Jun. 2, 2015 (Fitch et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/728,397 for DEVICE MANAGEMENT     USING VIRTUAL INTERFACES CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS     filed Jun. 2, 2015 (Caballero); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/732,870 for DATA COLLECTION     MODULE AND SYSTEM filed Jun. 8, 2015 (Powilleit); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/529,441 for INDICIA READING     DEVICE filed Jun. 8, 2015 (Zhou et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/735,717 for INDICIA-READING     SYSTEMS HAVING AN INTERFACE WITH A USER'S NERVOUS SYSTEM filed Jun.     10, 2015 (Todeschini); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/738,038 for METHOD OF AND SYSTEM     FOR DETECTING OBJECT WEIGHING INTERFERENCES filed Jun. 12, 2015     (Amundsen et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/740,320 for TACTILE SWITCH FOR A     MOBILE ELECTRONIC DEVICE filed Jun. 16, 2015 (Bandringa); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/740,373 for CALIBRATING A VOLUME     DIMENSIONER filed Jun. 16, 2015 (Ackley et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/742,818 for INDICIA READING     SYSTEM EMPLOYING DIGITAL GAIN CONTROL filed Jun. 18, 2015 (Xian et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/743,257 for WIRELESS MESH POINT     PORTABLE DATA TERMINAL filed Jun. 18, 2015 (Wang et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/530,600 for CYCLONE filed Jun.     18, 2015 (Vargo et al); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/744,633 for IMAGING APPARATUS     COMPRISING IMAGE SENSOR ARRAY HAVING SHARED GLOBAL SHUTTER CIRCUITRY     filed Jun. 19, 2015 (Wang); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/744,836 for CLOUD-BASED SYSTEM     FOR READING OF DECODABLE INDICIA filed Jun. 19, 2015 (Todeschini et     al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/745,006 for SELECTIVE OUTPUT OF     DECODED MESSAGE DATA filed Jun. 19, 2015 (Todeschini et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/747,197 for OPTICAL PATTERN     PROJECTOR filed Jun. 23, 2015 (Thuries et al.); -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/747,490 for DUAL-PROJECTOR     THREE-DIMENSIONAL SCANNER filed Jun. 23, 2015 (Jovanovski et al.);     and -   U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/748,446 for CORDLESS INDICIA     READER WITH A MULTIFUNCTION COIL FOR WIRELESS CHARGING AND EAS     DEACTIVATION, filed Jun. 24, 2015 (Xie et al.).

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. 

1. An automated contact cleaning device on a docking station for electronic devices, comprising: a receiver for receiving an electronic device; a base; a piston; the piston having a plunger and an air chamber, the piston being mounted to the base; the receiver being mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress air in the air chamber; at least one nozzle; the nozzle having a nozzle body and a spray tip, the nozzle being mounted in proximity to the a bottom portion of the air chamber and extending into the air chamber; electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the electronic device, the electrical contacts being positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction; and the spray tip of the nozzle being directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby the spray tip directs air over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.
 2. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion; the nozzle being positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion, and the electrical contacts being located at a lower elevation than the nozzle on the incline portion.
 3. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the receiver is comprised of an arm portion and a bracket portion; the arm portion being connected to the top portion of the plunger; the bracket portion being sized to receive the electronic device; the bracket portion further having top end and a lower end; the arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket; the lower end being provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the electronic device is received in the receiver.
 4. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.
 5. The automated contact cleaning device of claim 1, wherein the nozzle is an air jet nozzle.
 6. A docking station for mobile electronic devices, comprising: a receiver for receiving a mobile electronic device; a base; a piston; the piston having a plunger and a gas chamber the piston being mounted to the base; the receiver being mounted on an exterior top portion of the piston plunger, such that pushing the receiver in a downward direction forces the plunger to compress gas in the gas chamber; at least one gas jet nozzle, the gas jet nozzle having a nozzle body and a spray tip, the gas jet nozzle being mounted on a bottom portion of the air chamber and extending into the air chamber; electrical contacts on the base for connecting to the mobile electronic device, the electrical contacts being positioned directly under the receiver, such that a port on the mobile electronic device will contact the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in the downward direction; and the spray tip of the gas jet nozzle being directed towards the electrical contacts, whereby the spray tip directs gas over the electrical contacts when the receiver is pushed in a downward direction.
 7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the base is comprised of a flat portion and an inclined portion; the gas jet nozzle being positioned over the elevated portion of the incline portion, and the electrical contacts being located in proximity to the lower elevation portion of the incline portion.
 8. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the receiver is comprised of an arm portion and a bracket portion; the arm portion being connected to the top portion of the plunger; the bracket portion being sized to receive the mobile electronic device; the bracket portion further having a top end and a lower end; the arm portion is located on the top end of the bracket; the lower end being provided with an opening directly over the electrical contacts, whereby the port of the mobile electronic device is positioned over the opening in the lower end of the bracket when the mobile electronic device is received in the receiver.
 9. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the electrical contacts provide means to charge the electronic device.
 10. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the docking station provides communicative links to electronic storage, processing, and electronic display to the electronic device received in the docking station via the electrical contacts.
 11. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the gas nozzle is comprised of an array of nozzles.
 12. The docking station of claim 8, further comprising: a frame, the frame having an upper end and a lower end, the lower end of the frame being connected to the base, the upper end of the frame being open for insertion of the electronic device into the receiver, the frame at least partially enclosing the docking station; the frame being further provided with a slot parallel to the electrical contacts and at the lower elevation portion of the incline portion of the base.
 13. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the gas is selected from air and nitrogen. 